Sustainable Waste Management a moral duty to protect the environment: DC

Bandipora : The District Level Committee (DLC) on Thursday met under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri to discuss the implementation of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016 and to update the District Environment Plan.
During the meeting, the committee held detailed discussions on strengthening mechanisms for the segregation, disposal, and treatment of bio-medical waste across healthcare facilities while ensuring strict compliance with environmental standards.
The Chief Medical Officer informed the committee that bio-medical and other waste generated by DH Bandipora and Community Health Centres (CHCs) are regularly transported to the Lassipora Plant under a contract with Kashmir Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.
The DC emphasized the critical need for interdepartmental coordination to achieve significant progress in sustainable waste management and pollution control. He directed the concerned officers to adopt scientific mechanisms for the disposal of bio-medical and other waste materials to prevent any pilferage.
The DC further instructed the concerned departments to ensure that Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are fully functional. He assured that the district administration would prioritize the construction of Effluent Treatment Plants at healthcare facilities where such infrastructure is urgently required.
All departments were directed to submit their inputs for the updated District Environment Plan. This plan will serve as a comprehensive roadmap to address environmental challenges and promote eco-friendly practices in municipal and industrial activities across the district.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bandipora, Zaffar Husson Shawl; General Manager, District Industries Centre, Assistant Commissioner Development, Assistant Commissioner Panchayats, Chief Medical Officer, District Medical Officer, Medical Superintendent of District Hospital (DH) Bandipora and representatives from the Municipal Council and the Pollution Control Board.